DARE TO BELONG

Acts 5:12-13

The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.

I read a story once about Christianity in the Cold War era Soviet Union. Believers were forced to hide and worship in secret, as punishment involved disappearance into the prison system, perhaps forever. As the story goes, one evening a small group of Christians were quietly meeting in a home, when through the door burst two soviet policemen with weapons drawn.

They immediately yelled, "Anyone who is not a Christian -- get out of here, now!" as they threatened each person with their guns. Everyone was stunned, filled with fear, and on the edge of panic. Two of the people jumped up, grabbed their coats and ran out the door. One of the policemen went to the door, closed, locked and double bolted it. Then both turned and began to take off their coats, hats and gloves. They put down their guns and said, "We apologize for the intrusion, but we had to be sure everyone was a committed believer before we asked if we could join you."

That is the image I have of the first century church expressed in verse 13 of our story, "No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people." The church met in public each day (at Solomon's Colonnade), yet no one dared join them. Sometimes it takes pressure to define our faith and who we are as believers. How committed are you?

If there was the threat of imprisonment or death if you attended church on Sunday, would you go or stay home? Would you truly trust God and dare to belong to the family of believers?

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